Annual expectations thread 2023/24: #24 Dylan Cozens

[dudacek]

Jack Hughes (43 points) and Tim Stutzle (32 points) took tremendous leaps in production last year to become stars and the two highest scoring U22 players in the NHL. Number three on that list was Cozens, who scored 31 goals as part of a 30-point jump that helped him earn a 7-year $50 million contract. Overall, he finished 41st in the league in goals and 61st in points— clear 1st-line numbers — and was a particularly dangerous player in offensive transition.

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=197770

Cozens work ethic and physical bent helped disguise some holes defensively; his possession numbers were among the worst of the team’s regular forwards. That said, he was used in a clear 2C role for most of the season, flanked by 2 rookies. He enters this season being challenged to improve his play in his own zone while at the same time pursuing 40 goals and 80 points as viable targets in year 4.

What do you expect from Cozens this year?

(Last year’s takes here)

 

 

 

[Doohickie]

The Sabres will soon have a center spine envied by the rest of the league and Cozens is a big part of that.

[Randall Flagg]

His hands limit his offensive ceiling, though they've gotten way better. 

Donny is going to focus on elevating the team's defensive play now that he's taught them to score, and Cozens will be his most crucial, and most attentive, student in that regard 

[Doohickie]

Just now, Randall Flagg said:

Cozens will be his most crucial, and most attentive, student in that regard 

He really has been, going back to when Donny put him up against McDavid, et al.

[French Collection]

No way he peaked at 21-22 years old.

His offensive numbers may not go up too much, but his all round game has much room to grow. He is still maturing physically and will win more battles while gaining experience in how to play better.

This kid is driven and will be an important leader in the playoff drive. His skill set will be perfect for playoff hockey.

[Weave]

Overall game improvement is a given if he stays healthy.  His numbers though are going to be very dependent on who replaces Quinn’s spot.  They had undeniable chemistry.

[dudacek]

Cozens attitude and approach to the game seem beyond reproach.

I'm curious about the ceiling on his talent.

His U22 season production of 68 points was the 5th-best in franchise history. It's hard to make exact comparisons between eras, but it fits with hall-of-famers Perreault (74), turgeon (79) and Andreychuk (62), as well as stars like Mogilny (64), Martin (73), Gare (73) and Eichel (64).

I'm not as confident of him taking the next step as I am about Power, but he's definitely a piece that has that potential.

[Pimlach]

Cozens will have another very good year and he will continue his maturation into a star power forward in this league.  

[JustOneParade]

Sooo ... if Mitts replaces Quinn as most expect he will, what is the best line 2 construct ....  JJP/Cozens/Mitts or JJP/Mitts/Cozens? Is it a valid outside the box option or too ridiculous to consider? 

[Buffalonill]

100 points 

[Zamboni]

I’d like to see him round out his game even more this coming season. Be a solid 200 foot player.  Barring injury, I think The workhorse from Whitehorse will get in the neighborhood of 25 goals, and 40 assists.

[LGR4GM]

Cozens had 2 rookies on his line and even though Quinn and JJP are good, he still was held back slightly by that. I expect great things this year from Cozens. 80pts+

[DarthEbriate]

It won’t be this season, but I still believe by the back half of their contracts, Cozens is the top all-zones center and Tage is the amazing, offensive zone dynamo who demands your best defensemen and checking line, much to our collective delight. 
Mitts is the logical top6/Quinn replacement. It means Mitts could be in line for a $6-7M contract in 2024.

I think if JJP remains on his left the RW is an open rotation as many as 10 games into the season. 
Greenway, VO, Mitts, Rousek, Savoie/Benson/Kulich (however unlikely), and even Okposo. Why could KO be possible? The board work and defensive mindset paired with a much stronger all around 3rd line featuring Mitts/Greenway.

[GASabresIUFAN]

The Mitts Cozens combo will have both players set new career highs.  KA better get Mitts locked up.

[Norcal]

S.T.U.D.

[JoeSchmoe]

Has Cozens looked off so far? Tuch seems to get the attention but could Cozens be hurt too?

[inkman]

13 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Has Cozens looked off so far? Tuch seems to get the attention but could Cozens be hurt too?

Maybe hurt, maybe squeezing the stick too hard.  Maybe the weight of the contract is weighing heavily. Meatballs needs to work his magic here. 

[Doohickie]

Just now, inkman said:

Maybe hurt, maybe squeezing the stick too hard.  Maybe the weight of the contract is weighing heavily. Meatballs needs to work his magic here. 

Well that and he doesn't have Quinn/Peterka on his wings.  Instead it's the island of misfit toys line.

[Hank]

I agree he looks off. 

[JoeSchmoe]

My favourite part of Cozens game is when he picks up the puck in the neutral zone and he drives the offensive zone at full power. I haven't seen too much of that this year.

[Porous Five Hole]

Some of the team is going to regress from last year’s career high personal stats and Cozey is a likely one for this to happen.  38 points the season before to 68 points last season—with no pressure to produce.  
 

A lot is different and he’s still super young.  I would love to have Cozey’s baseline to be 31G, 37A, 68 pts, but that’s probably closer to his ceiling than his floor with his toolset (at this point in his career).  He has plenty of time and room to grow that ceiling tho!

Edited November 3, 2023 by Porous Five Hole

[Randall Flagg]

2 hours ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Has Cozens looked off so far? Tuch seems to get the attention but could Cozens be hurt too?

The worst Sabre relative to expectations so far.

[LTS]

He ain't exactly been playing with superstars...

I think he'll be okay.. if they give him wingers who can be creative and skate with speed.

[nfreeman]

It seems like Cozens started slowly, had a strong few games and then tailed off again.

I really like his game, his spirit and his upside, but he was totally ineffective the other night vs. Philly.

I'm pretty sure he'll work his way out of it.

 

[Carmel Corn]

Agree he looks "off", but I am wondering if he also had a slow start last season?  My failing memory seems to think I had some worries about him early last season as well, but that he then later certainly got his act together.  Anybody have his stats for his first half vs. second half of the season in 22-23?